Society's surprise
Anna Maria Island Historical Society vice president Betty Yanger, left, surprises Vic
Caserta with a birthday cake Aug. 14 to the delight of Kathy Caserta, AMIHS director
Bob Roberts and AMIHS board member Susan Anderson. The cake presentation followed
a presentation of an AMIHS preservation plaque to the Casertas for their effort to restore
a 1920 cottage in the 100 block of 31st Street, Holmes Beach. The couple purchased the
property in 2004 and spent about a year restoring the home. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff

Formal push for Kingfish

Boat Ramp annexation made

By Lisa Neff
Islander Reporter
Holmes Beach city commissioners
unanimously approved a resolution inviting
the county to negotiate a change in boundar-
ies at the Kingfish Boat Ramp area.
Holmes Beach long believed that the
county-operated boat ramp was within city
limits. But a survey several years ago indi-
cated the property, which is owned by the
Florida Department of Transportation, is in
unincorporated Manatee County.
Since the survey, Holmes Beach offi-
cials have made attempts to persuade county
officials to allow the city to annex the land,
which serves as a gateway to the Island and
Holmes Beach.
The city's primary interest in annexation
is public safety Holmes Beach Police
Department officers are closer to the area
than Manatee County Sheriff's Office depu-
ties.
Earlier this year, Holmes Beach Mayor
Rich Bohnenberger wrote county commis-
sioners re-stating the city's interest in annex-
ing the boat ramp area.
To date, the county board has not acted
on the letter.
County Commissioner John Chappie,
who represents the Island, attended an Aug.
11 city commission meeting and said Boh-
nenberger's letter was received but county
staff needed "a little more clarification as
to exactly what the city of Holmes Beach
wants."
Holmes Beach commissioners and city
attorney Patricia Petruff answered Chap-
pie's inquiry with a discussion and resolu-

tion detailing the city's intent.
The commission approved a resolution
to invite the county to discuss reviewing and
adjusting the shared boundary with Holmes
Beach.
Petruff said that in addition to the boat
ramp area on the north side of Manatee
Avenue, the city wants to incorporate the
area on the south side of Manatee west of the
bridge.
"This resolution deals with ... all land on
the Island side of the bridge," Petruff said.
She added that the Florida Legisla-
ture would need to pass a bill changing the
boundaries and recommended the commis-
sion explore hiring the attorney who assisted
Bradenton Beach in extending its boundaries
500 feet into Sarasota bay and the Gulf of
Mexico.
City commissioners said they would like
PLEASE SEE KINGFISH, NEXT PAGE

Holmes Beach commissioners want to
extend the city limits to include the Kingfish
Boat Ramp, currently in unincorporated
Manatee County.

Islander Reporter
There won't be a new bed-and-breakfast
establishment in Anna Maria any time in the
near future.
City commissioners at their Aug. 13 work
session were unanimously opposed to acting
on a suggestion by property owner Kent Ells-
worth of 60 N. Shore Drive to proceed with
the special exception process to establish a
bed-and-breakfast inn at his property.
Ellsworth said the property is composed
of three platted lots and currently is operated
as a weekly rental with five bedrooms and
four baths. It is located in a single-family resi-
dential zone. City code allows rentals in the
R- 1 zone.
Often, there are two families occupying
the premises, he said, sometimes causing noise
in the area and disturbance to the neighbors.
A bed-and-breakfast would be a less inten-
sive use of the property and preserve it from
being purchased and torn down for develop-
ment of three single-family homes, he said.
Ellsworth's family purchased the property in
1965.
PLEASE SEE B&B, PAGE 4

And now two

storms in Atlantic
Call Tropical Storm Claudette a
sleeper, having formed as we slept.
An area of disturbed weather about
100 miles west-northwest of Anna Maria
Island was termed a named storm by
the National Hurricane Center at 5 a.m.
Sunday, moving northwest.
By afternoon it was a tropical storm
with winds of about 40 mph.
By early Monday morning it had made
landfall at Santa Rosa Island, just south of
Fort Walton Beach in Florida's Panhandle
and was dissipating, although heavy rain-
fall was predicted.
Tropical Storm Bill, in the central
Atlantic Ocean, was classed a hurricane
early Monday and expected to strengthen
to a major hurricane by week's end. Good
news, though: The storm's projected path
takes it away from the United States.
Tropical Storm Ana is a weak depres-
sion with minimal winds. Forecasters with
the NHC predicted Ana will pass through
the Florida Straits later this week and enter
the Gulf of Mexico by Friday.
However, forecasters suspect Ana may
break up and merely be a tropical wave
as it nears the Western Florida coast. "It's
entirely possible that the circulation may
not make it across Hispaniola today,"
NHC forecasters said early Monday.
For more information about the
storms, go to www.nhc.noaa.gov.

2 MAUG. 19, 2009 0 THE ISLANDER

County approves tourism marketing plans

By Lisa Neff
Islander Reporter
The Manatee County Board of Commissioners
last week approved marketing plans and budgets for
tourism in 2010 and 2011.
The Manatee County Tourist Development Coun-
cil, which was scheduled to meet this week, approved

Kingfish annexation sought
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
to see a bill before the Legislature next spring.
While the city is seeking to annex the area, it is
not seeking to purchase the land from the DOT or to
operate the boat ramp, which would remain a county
installation.
On another boundary issue, Holmes Beach com-
missioners authorized Mayor Rich Bohnenberger and
city staff to work with Anna Maria officials to resolve
a legal boundary conflict.
Petruff said there is an overlap in boundaries
based on a review of charters for both cities.
Holmes Beach commissioners, as they dis-
cussed the issue, declined to follow Anna Maria's
decision to negotiate with the county to extend
city limits to nearshore waters to oversee dock-
permitting issues.
"The city of Holmes Beach has the potential for
similar issues," Petruff said, noting that docks extend-
ing into the bay from Key Royale are in unincorpo-
rated Manatee County.
Zaccagnino said Holmes Beach should follow
Anna Maria's lead.
"I would feel more comfortable having jurisdic-
tion instead of telling the homeowner to go to Mana-
tee County," he said.
But Zaccagnino was alone in that stand.
"With jurisdiction comes responsibility," Com-
missioner John Monetti said.

the plans for the Bradenton Area Convention and
Visitors Bureau on June 15.
The fiscal 2010 plan provides for $2,644,797
in spending and the fiscal 2011 plan provides for
$2,644,802 in spending.
The biggest expense in both CVB budgets is
advertising $1,034,955 in both 2010 and 2011.
Contractual services will cost about $987,000
annually, travel and promotions about $300,000, and
the printing of the visitors guide about $150,000 in
both 2010 and 2011.
Contractual services include work with ad agen-
cies, photographers, Web site service providers and
public relations experts.
Travel and promotions involves dispatching rep-
resentatives to a number of travel shows to reach
travel writers and travelers.
The travel and promotions portion of the budget
also contains about $60,000 in both 2010 and 2011
to host travel writers on "educational" trips to the

area.
The budgets reserve advertising dollars for sev-
eral publications that have, in recent years, featured
Anna Maria Island in editorial pages.
The CVB will buy advertising space with Coastal
Living, Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal,
Midwest Living, Oprah, Southern Living, Woman's
Day, AAA Going Places, AAA Living, USA Weekend
and the Orlando Sentinel.
The marketing plans and budgets for the CVB
use 45.7 percent of the revenues from the county
tourist development tax.
A breakdown for 2010 shows the tax generating
$5,792,792, with about 2.4 percent going to the tax
collector for commissions, 12.1 percent for admin-
istrative costs, 4.6 percent for the South Florida
Museum, 11 percent for the Manatee Civic Center,
8.6 percent for tourism-related projects, 15.6 percent
for the beach fund, and 45.7 percent to the CVB for
marketing.

Beachgoers
at Manatee
Public Beach in
Holmes Beach.
The county
board last
week approved
Marketing plans
and budgets for
the Bradenton
Convention and
Visitors Bureau
to continue to
draw tourists
to the area.
Islander Photo:
Lisa Neff

Weekly Wine Tastings Every Thursday in Our Garden Courtyard on the Bay

By Lisa Neff In the weeks since the hearing, a number of com- Florida is projected to far exceed present d
Islander Reporter ments have been filed online at www.regulations.gov, in the very near term. Port Dolphin En,
Statements supporting a proposed natural gas most of them supporting the project or not objecting posed deepwater port project is an envir
pipeline and deepwater port continue to outnumber to the plan. sound solution to meeting Florida future
opposition to the project. "Historic resource concerns have been adequately needs.

Proponents and opponents of the Port Dolphin
EnIKI.' LLC proposal are making their stands with
the U.S. government, filing statements in response to
an environmental impact statement released earlier
this summer.
Port Dolphin is proposing a deepwater natural
gas port about 28 miles off the coast of Anna Maria
Island in the Gulf of Mexico. Ships carrying liquefied
natural gas from other areas would anchor next to
buoys at the deepwater port, where the LNG would
be converted into gas and fed into a pipeline run-
ning from the deepwater port into Tampa Bay to Port
Manatee. The pipeline would continue several miles
inland, where it would connect with other gas pipe-
lines.
Since March 2007, the Port Dolphin applica-
tion has been under review by federal agencies, in
cooperation with Florida departments. The principal
reviewer is the U.S. Coast Guard.
In mid-July, the Maritime Administration and the
Coast Guard released a final environmental impact
statement that explores whether the project impacts
air quality, cultural and historic resources, fish habi-
tat, threatened or endangered species, navigation and
transportation and land use.
At a public hearing in late July on the EIS, a
number of people spoke in favor of the project, focus-
ing on its economic significance and its addition to
the e ni i_.V supply in south Florida.

Commission backs
By Lisa Neff
Islander Reporter
Holmes Beach city commissioners Aug. 11
approved a process for creating a floodplain man-
agement plan.
An orientation meeting to begin the planning took
place in late July. A second meeting of the floodplain
management plan committee will take place at 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 25, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
City officials hope to adopt a plan in late Sep-
tember or early October.
The adoption of the plan, as well as the steps
taken to develop the document, will earn the city
credits toward a federally supervised discount on
flood insurance premiums.

addressed," wrote Laura A. Kammerer of the Florida
Department of State. "Cultural resource assessments
have been conducted and adequate buffer areas will
be placed around underwater anomalies which will
be avoided.... It is the opinion of this office that the
proposed project will have no effect on historic prop-
erties."
"Many businesses in west-central Florida are
struggling in these difficult economic times, and Port
Dolphin will provide a real economic boost when we
need it," wrote Rob LaMaire, operations director for
Sea Sub Systems, a Gulf coast business.
Florida state Rep. Ron Reagan, R-67, endorsed
the project, w litinii'. "The demand for natural gas in

For the record
Details of Port Dolphin FIiEni .'. LLC's plans
for a deepwater port in the Gulf of Mexico and
a pipeline into Tampa Bay are online at www.
regulations.gov. The docket number is USCG-
2007-28532.
The public also can post comments regarding
the plan on the Web site.
People with questions about the document or
the process can call Ray Martin of the Coast Guard
at 202-372-1449, or e-mail raymond.w.martin@
uscg.mil.

floodplain planning
The planning process involves reviewing stud-
ies and reports, coordinating with other agencies that
might have expertise, assessing flood hazards, iden-
tifying and mapping repetitive loss properties and
areas, summarizing the extent of the flood problem
in the city, setting goals for mitigation and taking
positive steps.
Over the past two years, Holmes Beach has made
efforts to better its score, said public works superin-
tendent Joe Duennes, who is working on the flood-
plain management plan with consultant Bill Bris-
son, Mayor Rich Bohnenberger, City Commissioner
Sandy Haas-Martens, Police Chief Jay Romine and
public works employees Gary Blunden and Susan
Corsi.

"This deepwater port project also will have a
major impact on the economy of west central Florida,
the maritime community serving Port Manatee and
the Port of Tampa and will supply a much needed
new source of clean e nc.i for Florida."
Registering opposition, Anna Maria Island prop-
erty owner Leslie Swackhamer stated, "Anyone
familiar with this area knows and understands that
[the Island] is a very special place due to its pristine
natural environment.... There are few places of such
natural beauty. Any 'minor' impact is unacceptable.
Go somewhere that's already been ruined -like
Galveston go see that the beach is dirty, the water
is brown. Please do not enter into an arrangement that
might damage this gorgeous place."
The EIS public comment period closes Aug. 27.
The next deadline will be Sept. 11, when Gov.
Charlie Crist must decide whether he has any objec-
tions to the project.

Online news: Check out The
Islander at www.islander.org
for news on the Holmes Beach
city budget and more.

warning lifted
The Manatee County Health Department lifted
its warning for poor water quality at the Palma Sola
Causeway south beach.
The department had issued an advisory July 2,
after an estimated 300 gallons of untreated sewage
escaped into the water from a ruptured sewer line.
People were warned not to go into the water until
water samples confirm the area is safe for swimmers,
cautioning that "water contact may pose an increased
risk of infectious disease, particularly for susceptible
individuals."
On Aug. 12, the warning was lifted, according
to a release from the health department, which said
"average values for marine water bacterial indicators
currently comply with those recommended by the
EPA."
The department has participated in a beach water
quality system since 2002. The program uses criteria
from the U.S. EPA and the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection in rating water quality.
For more information about the healthy beaches
monitoring program, go to www.doh.state.fl.us or call
the health department at 941-748-0747.

B&B concept rejected
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Ellsworth proposed a single structure with three
bedrooms per lot, one common kitchen, no park-
ing on city rights of way and landscaped buffering
between the property and North Shore Drive.
But Commissioner Jo Ann Mattick said she was
confused. She said she believed that bed-and-break-
fast operations were already permissible in the city.
They are, responded city planner Alan Garrett,
but only if no more than four unrelated people are
occupying the unit. If a rental unit was occupied at
the same time by three people from one family and
two from another, that would exceed the maximum
and is against city code.
Commissioner Dale Woodland said he had "seri-
ous issues" with the proposal because this would be
a commercial operation in a residential zone.
"I wouldn't consider a bed-and-breakfast in a
residential zone," he said.
Mattick said she could favor the proposal if it was
in the retail-office-residential district, but it would
"set a bad precedent" for the R-1 zone.
Commissioner Christine Tollette, who chaired
the meeting in the absence of Commission Chairman
John Quam, agreed and could not support "moving
forward with the proposal."
Resident Robin Wall said she was surprised the
commission was even considering the proposal. The
commission had previously rejected such a sugges-
tion.
"How did this get on the agenda?" Wall asked.
"It's a waste of my time and ce nI- .'."
After the meeting, however, Tollette explained
that everyone, including Ellsworth, is entitled to "due
process" and to be heard before the commission. The
special exception request process is in the city's ordi-
nances, she noted. To deny Ellsworth the right to be
heard could lead to legal action, Tollette observed.
Ellsworth was not applying for a special excep-
tion, but rather asking the commission to consider his
proposal to begin the process, Tollette said.
Ellsworth said he did "not want to cause any
heartburn in the city" regarding his proposal, but he
also did not want to be known as the "owner of the
party house" in Anna Maria. He thought a bed-and-
breakfast would be a "more welcome" use for his
property.

Duplex expansion
Commissioners agreed that Garrett should pro-
ceed with writing an ordinance that would allow
current owners of duplexes limited ability to expand
their property.
However, Woodland expressed some reservations
about the amount of expansion that would be allowed
and Garrett said he would write a "neutral thought"

.-. .

Safe splish-splash-swim for all
The county health department last week lifted an advisory warning people about poor water quality on the
south side of the Palma Sola Causeway. The site was host Aug. 15 to a celebration that included some wet
'n' wild horseback rides and fun on the water for Jaymie and Tommy Klauber, owners of Pattigeorge and
Polo Grill restaurants, and a group of their friends. Islander Photo: Rebecca Barnett

ordinance and make changes and additions as the
commission desired.
Two commissioners, Chuck Webb and Quam,
were absent from the work session.
Under Garrett's proposed ordinance, a 5,000
square-foot duplex lot could add 250 square feet
of coverage, while a 7,500 square-foot duplex
lot could add 375 square feet of coverage. This
amounts to 40 percent of lot coverage, up from
the current allowance of 35 percent maximum lot
coverage.
Additionally, duplex owners could expand the
kitchen and living room and add a bathroom. How-
ever, no additional bedrooms would be allowed.
That prompted Ray Sackett of Palm Avenue to
oppose such a suggestion.
He said his mother, who has taught at Anna Maria
Elementary School for a number of years and is retir-
ing after this year, can't afford her Tarpon Avenue
home on her pension and is moving into the other
half of the duplex he occupies and she owns. As he
has five people in his family, two bedrooms is insuf-
ficient for his needs.
"Let those grandfathered duplexes be able to
expand as they need. Take care of the people who
have been here for more than 20 years, not all the
mobsters."
Former planning and zoning board chairman
Tom Turner agreed. "You should be able to add a
bedroom."
Resident Mike Coleman said that anyone now
can buy a duplex, tear it down and build a three-story
house with as many bedrooms as space allows.
"Give an incentive to duplex owners or we will
end up with more of the same mega-houses" now pro-
liferating the city, he said. "Look for ways to encour-
age duplexes to remain in the city, not discourage
them."
Mattick said that with all the opinions about
duplex expansion, the draft ordinance Garrett is
preparing needs to be discussed by the full commis-
sion.

Platted lots for docks
Commissioners agreed favorably with a sugges-
tion brought forward by resident Erik Abrahamson
for six platted boat lots near the Anna Maria Island
Community Center.
Abrahamson suggested the city pass an ordinance
allowing the 20-by-20-foot boat lots to be allowed
electric and water service.
The lots were legally platted in 1953, but have
no accompanying residences for their use. Since
that time, however, the city established an ordinance
requiring a boat dock, including electricity and water
at the dock, be accompanied by a residence.
Abrahamson would like to install electric and
water at the two boat lots he owns. The remaining four

are owned by other city residents, he indicated.
City attorney Jim Dye said it's apparent that the
area were platted for use as boat docks because they
cannot be used to build residences. Under the current
ordinance, however, the city cannot allow electric or
water because the lots are non-conforming.
Commissioners agreed to have Dye write an
amendment to the ordinance that will be specific to
the six lots in question. Mattick suggested the amend-
ment should require boat-lot owners also to be an
Anna Maria homeowner.
Otherwise, the lots could be purchased by absen-
tee owners, she said.

Floodplain
Building official Bob Welch presented commis-
sioners with a number of proposed revisions to the
city's flood protection ordinance. The revisions are
needed to streamline the ordinance and address the
concept of "substantial demolition" of a property
damaged by a flood.
The revisions will bring the ordinance "in line
with policies and remove the subjectiveness" of some
parts, he said.
Welch asked commissioners to study the revi-
sions and discuss them at a regular commission meet-
ing.
The revisions were prepared by Welch following
a visit by an agent for the Insurance Services Organi-
zation to perform the required three-year inspection
of the city's floodplain management program.
The inspection is required by the Federal Emer-
gency Management Authority for the city to retain
its Level 5 rating for reduction of homeowner flood
insurance premiums.
The city also has to pass the revisions and main-
tain its flood plain management program in accor-
dance with FEMA guidelines and suggestions from
the ISO inspection to retain its rating.

Turtle lights
Commissioners gave unanimous consensus for
Mattick to apply for a grant from the Florida Sea
Turtle Grant Committee for turtle-friendly lights. The
lights would be installed at the city pier and on the
proposed boardwalk that is planned to run along the
beach at the pier.
The lights would "not only protect nesting sea
turtles, but would ensure public safety," Mattick
said.
The grants are not "matching funds," said Mat-
tick, but the city could provide "in-kind" services,
such as installation and maintenance of the lights.
The committee would look favorably on such ser-
vices, she said.
The deadline for the grant application is Nov.
13. Approved grants will be funded in March 2010,
Mattick said.

THE ISLANDER 0 AUG. 19, 2009 0 5

Island message signs to get redesign

By Lisa Neff
Islander Reporter
The Florida Department of Transportation will
provide $200,000 for two electronic message signs
on Gulf Drive on Anna Maria Island.
The signs will replace two signs that generated
safety concerns.
The DOT said it would award the money to Man-
atee County provided the signs go up on different
structures truss systems instead of cantilevered
designs.
The electronic message signs were initially
approved in November 2004 for six locations on the
Island and leading to the Island.
The signs were erected in 2007, but from the start
motorists and nearby property owners had reserva-
tions about the two signs on Gulf Drive one in
Holmes Beach near the intersection with East Bay
Drive and one in Bradenton Beach near Coquina
Beach.
On Nov. 15, 2007, the horizontal arm of the
Holmes Beach sign broke in high winds, and a design
firm was called in to re-evaluate the structure.
In November 2008, according to a county memo,
an FDOT inspector notified the county that the sign
in Holmes Beach was "unsafe due to excessive gal-
loping during wind events."
FDOT officials then advised county officials that

the state would not approve another mast-arm sign
and that truss-supported signs now are required on
barrier islands.
A resolution authorizing an agreement with the
DOT for the new signs was presented to the county
board on its consent agenda, but Commissioner John
Chappie requested its transfer to the regular agenda
for a discussion.
Chappie said he wanted to make sure Anna
Maria Island representatives would be involved in

One of the six mes-
sage signs erected
through an agree-
ment with Manatee
County and the
I a b e Florida Department
of Transportation.
The county, with
funding assistance
from the DOT, will
replace the two signs
Sfor Gulf Drive.

the design process.
"It's a bigger structure," Chappie said of the truss
system needed to hold the signs.
The commission did approve the resolution, with
Chappie voting yes. "I was assured the cities would
have the final option to say 'no' to this if it not what
we want," he said.
He expected a discussion about the signs to take
place at the Island Transportation Planning Organiza-
tion meeting Sept. 21 at Holmes Beach City Hall.

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Charley was no coincidence
Certainly, after a long, slow start to hurricane
season and no named storms until the sudden appear-
ance of three tropical storms, there's nothing coinci-
dental about this month's remembrance of Hurricane
Charley striking the Gulf coast in 2004.
Charley is all to fresh in our minds. And Clau-
dette arrived on cue this week to provide a lesson
for anyone who thinks a severe storm can't happen
suddenly, without the benefit of forecasting models,
cones of uncertainty, or a prediction.
It can. It did. Claudette formed overnight in the
Gulf of Mexico just west of Anna Maria Island and
Tampa Bay, and were it not for the prevailing winds
carrying it northward, we might have experienced
a very different Sunday. It could easily have been a
day of flooded streets and howling winds, without
phones, cable or electricity.
If you believe in numbers, and the numbers say
about 5 percent of our population is new every year,
then about 25 percent of folks living on Anna Maria
Island now won't remember Charley.
But plenty of us do. It was the most recent storm
that caused an Islandwide evacuation. It was the storm
that promised to barrel into the mouth of Tampa Bay
and wash away much of what we love and hold dear
on AMI.
But Charley took a right turn into Charlotte
County and spared Anna Maria Island.
If there was in\ thing good to learn from that storm,
it came from our experiences helping our neighbors
to the south and eastward in Wauchula, Arcadia, Fort
Ogden and the surrounding rural areas.
The huge outpouring of aid and effort from Anna
Maria Island to those in need, including a young man
who took vacation time from his job to single-hand-
edly drive rural roads to deliver ice, water and sodas,
to the group effort of Ed Chiles and his group of vol-
unteers to deliver a hot meal for hundreds of needy
people in a Wauchula parking lot, to the extraordinary
effort to help a small demolished church get on its
feet, we learned valuable lessons.
We learned we can't stop the force of Mother
Nature, but, better still, we learned that we can put
our good fortune to use helping others together.
Now's a good time to check your hurricane plan
and supplies.
Breathe a short sigh of relief and remember Char-
ley. Be prepared. Consult our online Storm Avenger
guide at www.islander.org.
It isn't over yet, it's just beginning.

Duplex dilemma
I have lived on the Island since 1985 and work at
Anna Maria Elementary School. I plan to retire after
this school year.
Since I cannot afford to live in my home on
Tarpon Street due to high taxes and insurance and my
nominal retirement income, I hope to sell the home
and move to my duplex on Palm and Hardin. My son,
Rafe, and his family live there now, and my daughter
lived on the other side until December.
I have planned for years to move to the duplex
upon retirement. As my son is a contractor, we want to
remodel. My son needs a third bedroom for his daughter
and son. This will be a permanent home on both sides.
The city's suggested changes seem unnecessary,
unrealistic and unfair. If the city must make such reg-
ulations, present owners should be exempt, so as to
not infringe on their already present property rights.
It seems that the city is discriminating by allowing
an older, single dwelling to add a second bathroom
and/or bedroom.
Set the new regulations, if the city must, for
new owners who can purchase their properties with
knowledge of the proposed restrictions.
Joan Sackett, Anna Maria

Differing opinions
The Islander newspaper opinion section of Aug.
5 featured two very different perspectives of Anna
Maria Island.
One writer noted a tranquil hideaway with a laid-
back setting. Beach walks, kayaking and dolphin-spot-
ting were memories these vacationers took away.
Hop over the title to the next letter and you find
a different story of animal abuse and child neglect
that appears went unreported to authorities.
A story unfolds of an unsuspecting woman, who
while walking her dog happens upon some boys tres-
passing at a construction site. She observes some kids

who are baiting birds with a dead fish and shooting
at them with BB guns.
What the observer did not realize is by not report-
ing this disturbing behavior, these boys missed out
on an opportunity for getting the proper help they
need in order to not grow up to be more disturbed
and create more heinous crimes.
I am sure that had the author of the first letter
seen what the other writer commented on, she may
have left the Island with a far different perspective.
But more important than what another thinks of
us "Islanders," is the fact that an opportunity passed
to offer these young men some guidance in what is
right and what is wrong.
While we may live on a beautiful Island, we
are not immune from the evil-doings of the world. I
surely hope that next time the author or someone else
comes upon a situation of animal abuse, something
more than writing a letter to the editor is done.
Caryn Prasse, Holmes Beach

Note: With miles to go on her walk, no cellphone and
no one else in the vicinity, the letter-writer reports
there was no opportunity to make a timely report
on the boys with the BB guns. They fled when she
confronted them.

Have your say
We welcome and encourage your original comments
on topics, columns and editorials in The Islander.
The Islander accepts original letters of up to
250 words and reserves the right to edit for length,
accuracy and grammar. Letters must include name,
address, and a contact phone number (for verifica-
tion). Anonymous letters will not be printed.
Address letters by e-mail to news@islander.
org or mail to 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach
FL 34217. Comments may also be posted on The
Islander Web site at www.islander.org.

S H. 4p, :-,:

THE ISLANDER 0 AUG. 19, 2009 0 7

Remembering Woodstock, 40 years past

I was familiar with music festivals, having made
it to the Miami and Atlanta pop festivals in 1968.
I arrived to Woodstock in Bethel, N.Y., from
New Jersey, home from the University of Tampa for
the summer, two days before the festival began.
It was the first and last time I was ever so
much on time.
I never purchased a ticket, having instead walked
through the woods, ending up at the "Hog Farm,"
where the commune family greeted myself and my
friends with food, water and open arms.
We set up our camp with tents and sleeping bags
and awakened the next morning to a sea of people.
The Woodstock Generation was born.
There was unity, love and mud. We were so
young and joyful, with fringes flying free.
It wasn't just sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, it was
a celebration of the first global-minded generation on
the planet.
Prior to Woodstock, it seemed to me, everyone
had local issues on their minds.
I later moved to Monticello, N.Y., in 1975,
a few miles from the Woodstock festival site,
established a hair salon, an ongoing operation for
10 years. I even had Mimi Yasgur, owner of the
Woodstock farm where the festival was held, as a
client.
Remembrances of things past are as tricky as we
thought our then-president to be in 1969.
Woodstock seems a long way away.
Carefree afternoons, long hair and idealistic aspi-
rations have given way to midlife crises, political
activism and retirement planning.
But if there was one lesson to be learned from my
experiences back then, from the Woodstock Genera-
tion, it's to live in the present. Be there now.
It's funny how today I feel like I'm returning to
the spirit of that glorious event.
Peace on Earth.
Brian Finelli, Bradenton Beach

Brian Finelli shares some remembrances of the
Woodstock Festival.

Sandbar hosts talent show
The Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna
Maria, is hosting an all-ages amateur talent competi-
tion, Island's Got Talent.
The first competition took place Aug. 16. A second com-
petition date will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, fol-
lowed by a finals competition at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30.
Three judges including a national talent scout -
will select three performers as winners. The first-place prize
is $300 cash. The second-place prize is a $150 Sandbar gift
card and third-place prize is a $75 Sandbar gift card.
Also, the winners receive Green Screen Audition
from True Hollywood Screen Test Pro Audition and a
performance at the Talent and Film Expo Sept. 19.
For more information, contact Patti McKee at 941-
778-8709 or pmckee@chilesgroup.com, or Janice Berg-
bom at 941-778-8710 or jbergbom@chilesgroup.com.

In the Aug. 18, 1999, issue of
The Islander, headlines announced:
Anna Maria Mayor Chuck Shumard and Com-
missioner Doug Wolfe engaged in a verbal spat over
the arrest of public works director Phil Charnock for
pointing a .22-caliber handgun at a driver on the Sun-
shine Skyway Bridge. Wolfe wanted the commission
to discuss suspending Charnock, but other commis-
sioners supported Shumard in waiting to see what
would happen in Charnock's court case.
The Manatee County Convention and Visitors
Bureau reported occupancy of Island accommoda-
tions for July was 76.2 percent, the highest July ever
recorded at that time, according to Alexandra Owen,
marketing director for the bureau.
Holmes Beach resident Russell Cripe claimed police
brutality following his arrest for attempted grand theft and
forgery involving a dispute with Benderson Development
Inc. Cripe owned the Marley restaurant on Manatee Avenue
in Bradenton where Benderson was the landlord. Cripe said
police beat him into a confession and refused to allow him
an attorney during several hours of interrogation.

you the news!
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to stay in touch with what's happening on Anna Maria Island. We've been pub-
lishing and mailing successfully since 1992!
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.. o \ .ill ing you need if your "heart is on the Island."
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this form to subscribe for yourself or someone else. (Sorry, we do not suspend
mail subscriptions you get the news free while you're here!)
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Daily Breakfast Special at the Bridge Street Pier:
All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes or French Toast $4.99

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As always... Free Beer Tomorrow

CITY

8 MAUG. 19, 2009 0 THE ISLANDER

Gateway project in Bradenton Beach gets delayed

By Lisa Neff
Islander Reporter
Uncertainty about the amount of property Bra-
denton Beach owns at Cortez Road and Gulf Drive
may alter efforts to enhance the city gateway.
Earlier this year, the advisory ScenicWAVES
committee made improving gateways to Bradenton
Beach a priority for the coming year.
But at the main gateway at Cortez Road and Gulf
Drive, the city is reviewing how much city-owned
property exists for an artist-inspired welcome to Bra-
denton Beach.
"We have an extremely small amount of platted
land at our gateway," Commissioner Janie Robertson,
liaison to the committee, said at an Aug. 10 meet-
ing
At the site at the west end of Cortez Road, the
city currently has poles for banners promoting local
events, as well as a welcome sign.
Robertson said that space less than 40 square
feet might be all ScenicWAVES would have to
work with if it pursued a gateway enhancement, such
as a sculpture.
She recommended the committee postpone a
detailed discussion on the issue until city staff could
look more closely at property lines at the location.
Committee members agreed to a delay, but
seemed undaunted by the lack of abundant space.
"Is there any way to do it over the bridge?" asked
committee member Dana Snell.
Bob Herrington, a liaison to the committee from
the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Orga-
nization, said other cities have arches at gateways.
N\.iy cool," he said.
Manon Lavoie of the Florida Department of

Transportation said she would look into the feasibility
of an arch over Cortez Road, which is a state road.
But, she said, no doubt such a structure would
need to be hurricane-resistant not built to break-
away, but built to resist hurricane-force winds.
In other committee business last week:
Representatives with Keep Manatee Beauti-
ful and the county parks and recreation department
promoted Cigarette Litter Prevention Month and Bin
Your Butts, an effort to place covered ashtray bins on
Anna Maria Island.
The containers for cigarette butts are being placed
at Coquina and Cortez beaches in Bradenton Beach,
Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach and Bay-
front Park in Anna Maria.
The project is being funded with three grants
totaling $4,500, according to KMB executive direc-
tor Ingrid McClellan.
Holmes Beach commissioners heard a "Bin the
Butts" presentation Aug. 11 and Anna Maria com-
missioners were scheduled to formally hear about
the program this week.
Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale
said that city staff is moving forward with a plan to
erect signs to direct motorists to off-street parking.
"They'll be up by season," Speciale said, refer-
ring to the rush of visitors to the Island that begins
in the fall.
The group approved a motion by committee
member David Teitelbaum asking city commissioners
to take steps to guarantee the city owns the domain
name for its Web site, as well as to guarantee the
security of the site in the event of a storm or other
disaster and to seek proposals for maintaining the
site.

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"I think the site itself is a terribly important asset
to the city," Teitelbaum said.
However, he added, "at this point it doesn't do
what it could do.... The city needs to own and operate
and control its Web site."
Currently the city contracts for the hosting and
maintaining of the Web site.
Teitelbaum also confirmed that the dates for the
Real Florida Festival, an Islandwide event with some
proceeds intended to help offset the cost of the Island
trolley service, will be April 16-18, 2010.
"We're trying our best to make this a significant
Island event," he said, emphasizing the partnership
between the cities and Island-based groups.
Plans include a 60th anniversary party for Holmes
Beach, a Taste of Anna Maria Island on Pine Avenue
in Anna Maria, a scavenger hunt, an outdoor fest and
a symphony concert on the beach.
"It's very e \, ilin' ." Teitelbaum said.
Mark Parsley, Manatee County's parks opera-
tions superintendent, announced that new playground
equipment will be installed on Coquina Beach as
early as this month.
Parsley said the county also plans to erect new
enclosures for Dumpsters at its beaches, as well as
replace picnic tables and trash cans.
"I just want to make sure our beaches look nice,"
Parsley said, adding that 1,200 tons of fill material
will be used to repair potholes in the beach parking
lots.
Committee member Sissy Quinn, president of
the Anna Maria Island Preservation Trust, said an
inventory of Bradenton Beach's older properties is
progressing.
PLEASE SEE GATEWAY, NEXT PAGE

By Lisa Neff
Islander Reporter
Robert Corona took a joyless joy ride last Novem-
ber.
He's now bound for prison.
Corona, a 38-year-old tile setter from Bradenton,
was arrested Nov. 6, 2008, as he fled from Manatee
County Sheriff's Office deputies after abandoning
the two-door Pontiac Sunfire convertible he stole
from the parking lot behind the Gator Lounge on
14th Street West in Bradenton.
On Aug. 10, Corona pleaded no contest to charges
of grand theft auto, resisting arrest without violence
and driving without a valid license.
On Aug. 14, a judge sentenced Corona to four
years in prison, with credit for time served. The
prosecution sought five years in prison for Corona,
while his defense attorney requested a three-year sen-
tence.
Grand theft auto typically is not a high-profile
crime the FBI reports that a car is stolen every
26.4 seconds in the United States.
But Corona happened to take the car that belonged
to Haley's Motel owner and Holmes Beach resident

Sabine Musil-Buehler, reported missing after Corona
was arrested.
According to early police records in the case,
Corona initially said he was given the keys to the
vehicle, which could have made him among the last
to see Musil-Buehler, whom authorities suspect is
dead, the victim of a possible homicide.
Corona later said he found the car in the parking
lot with the keys in the ignition.
"I used the car to joy ride around the neighbor-
hood," he wrote in the letter to his attorney.
He has been held since last November in the
Manatee County jail, where he has written several
complaints to attorneys and Manatee County Circuit
Court Judge Gilbert Smith about the handling of his
case, specifically delays in holding a trial.
Corona was scheduled to go to trial last week,
but instead appeared before Smith to change his plea
from not guilty to no contest.
"I am guilty of the car," Corona said.
He added, "I have nothing to do with whatever
else came with the car."
The car, impounded as evidence by MCSO,
contained small amounts of Musil-Buehler's blood.

Woman arrested for assaulting police officer

A woman was arrested by Bradenton Beach
Police following an altercation with an officer that
started in the 300 block of Gulf Drive South.
Morgan A. Woodland, 24, of Cortez, was arrested
Aug. 8 and charged with battery
on a law enforcement officer.
According to the police
report, a driver flagged down
Officer John Tsakiri on Gulf
Drive, complaining a woman
had thrown a stick at his car. The
complainant was asked to follow
Woodland Tsakiri, who proceeded to look
for the suspect.
Tsakiri said the complainant pointed out the
female suspect as they drove east on the Cortez
Bridge, and Tsakiri stopped and asked the woman to
get in his patrol car. She complied, and he then drove
to approximately 121st Street West in Cortez, where
he stopped and asked her to step out of the vehicle.
Tsakiri stated the suspect, wearing a blue bikini,
left behind a white rag, which she said was a diaper,
and the woman refused to remove it from his car.

Gateway project delayed
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
As of last week, the trust had added 35 Braden-
ton Beach properties to a state database of structures
dating back more than 50 years.
The committee discussed the election of new
officers and its relationship with city staff.
Robertson said the committee had a decision to
make: "Is staff going to run this committee or is this
committee going to run itself?"
She said that since a merger of the WAVES and
scenic highway committees, there has been confu-
sion about the roles and responsibilities of committee
members and staff.
Herrington said other groups that steer improve-
ments to scenic highways are self-run, but work with
staff.
The discussion was prompted by a letter to com-
mittee members from Lisa Marie Phillips, the city
project-program manager who has worked closely
with ScenicWAVES.
Phillips, in the letter dated Aug. 5, wrote, "It has
been suggested ... that my presence is not required
at ScenicWAVES committee meetings."
"I very much respect the work done by this com-
mittee and its liaisons.... It would seem appropriate
to hold a vote at the next meeting (without my pres-
ence) concerning my continued interaction with this
committee."
The committee did not vote last week, but rather
continued the discussion to 3 p.m. Sept. 14.

As she started to walk away, Tsakiri said in his
report that he "grabbed her left arm and told her to
get her garbage."
Woodland then punched Tsakiri on the right eye
with her left fist.
He stated that he then took her to the ground and
handcuffed her.
Woodland was treated by EMS at the Bradenton
Beach police station for a cut lip, which Tsakiri said
happened when she was taken to the ground.
Tsakiri also took a witness statement, and added that
the defendant told him she recently left a psychh ward."

Bond reduction denied

in sex case
By Lisa Neff
Islander Reporter
A Manatee County circuit court judge denied a
request to reduce the bond for a Bradenton Beach man
arrested for engaging in sexual activities with a minor.
Joseph Edmund Chiquet, 34, of the 500 block of
Gulf Drive South in Bradenton Beach, was arrested
July 14 and for allegedly committing lewd and las-
civious battery on a child 12-15 years old and expos-
ing a minor to harmful motion pictures.
Chiquet, according to a police report, allegedly
met the teenager in January at The Yard, a skateboard
shop he was operating in Bradenton.
The report indicated that the teenager said she
and Chiquet had a sexual relationship, and that he
took sexual photographs of her in his apartment that
were downloaded on his computer.
Police executed a search warrant earlier this
month and seized the computer.
In addition to initial charges, investigating offi-
cers have asked the state attorney's office file addi-
tional charges against Chiquet.
A probable cause affidavit filed July 23 lists 27
felony counts of alleged possession or promotion of
child pornography against Chiquet.
In a third round of filings, additional charges
against Chiquet were sought for sexual involvement
with a 15-year-old at the skate shop in Bradenton.
Probable cause affidavits filed with the court on
Aug. 12 listed two more counts of lewd and lascivi-
ous battery on a child 12-15 years old and two addi-
tional counts of battery were listed with the court on
Aug. 14.
Chiquet is scheduled for arraignment Aug. 28.
Since his arrest last month, Chiquet has been held
at the Manatee County jail.
An attorney for Chiquet requested a reduction in
his bond, but Manatee County Circuit Court Judge
Gilbert Smith instead increased the requirements for
Chiquet to get out of jail. His bond is at $293,000.

Pieces of seats and carpeting were removed from the
vehicle. A charger for a cell phone was found, plugged
into the cigarette lighter, but authorities recovered no
phone, identification or purse. The trunk contained
clothing and other personal items.
Musil-Buehler was last seen Nov. 4, 2008, by her
boyfriend, William Cumber, 39, at the apartment they
rented on Magnolia Avenue in Anna Maria.
Cumber said the two argued about his smoking
a cigarette and Musil-Buehler left in her car at about
10 p.m. that night.
Cumber is currently serving a prison sentence -
13.5 years for violating the terms of his probation
on an unrelated, 2005 arson conviction.
Authorities have described Cumber as "person
of interest" in the Musil-Buehler case, as well as the
arson fire at the Haley's Motel complex on Nov. 16,
2008.
The Gold Star Club of Manatee County is offer-
ing a $5,000 reward for information that helps solve
the Musil-Buehler case.
MCSO detectives are asking people with infor-
mation to call CrimeStoppers at 866-634-8477 or
MCSO at 941-747-3011.

Island man arrested

for domestic

violence
By Lisa Neff
Islander Reporter
A Holmes Beach man is facing multiple
charges in connection with a disturbance Aug. 7
in the 6000 block of Holmes Boulevard.
Daniel Mercak, 33, was
arrested at about 10 p.m.
Aug. 7 after police were
called to a disturbance at a
residence on Holmes Bou-
levard.
The Holmes Beach
Police Department reported
Mercak that upon arriving, an officer
heard banging in a bedroom, went to a sliding-
glass door at the back of the residence and heard
Mercak shouting at a woman.
"You [expletive] up this time. You're in trou-
ble," he allegedly said.
A report stated that police could see Mercak
slamming the woman into a door and broken fur-
niture scattered about.
Also, the report indicated that Mercak held
a metal padlock in his left hand that an officer
feared might be used as a weapon.
Police arrested Mercak, who faces charges
of felony aggravated domestic assault and mis-
demeanor domestic battery and violation of a no
contact order.
The woman, according to the report, said
Mercak had been released from jail that morn-
ing and blamed her for his detention.
Mercak's bond was set at $150,000, and, at
Islander press time, he remained in the Mana-
tee County jail with his arraignment set for
Sept. 11.
Manatee County court records indicate that
Mercak has been arrested on similar charges in
the past, most recently in March in a case that
also involved an arrest by HBPD.
In that case, a report from HBPD said Mercak
committed "domestic battery by strangulation,"
but a charge was reduced from a felony battery
to a misdemeanor.
Mercak, according to court records, pleaded
guilty and was ordered to pay a number of fines
and court costs.
Mike Quinn, publisher of www.newsmanatee.
corn contributed to this report.

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z

By Lisa Neff
Islander Reporter
Loggerhead turtles are at risk of vanishing,
according to a federal report released Aug. 11.
This summer, volunteers documenting logger-
head activity on Anna Maria Island beaches are wit-
nessing nesting numbers far higher than last year's
numbers. By mid-July, Anna Maria Island Turtle
Watch walkers had identified more nests than in all
of 2008.
However, Island nesting numbers for one season
do not fully represent the health of the loggerhead
population.
Loggerheads are the most abundant marine turtle
in U.S. waters, but populations are on the decline. In a
review of the nine populations of loggerheads around
the world, researchers reported that all but two of the
populations are at risk of extinction.
In Florida, the population of nesting loggerheads
has declined 40 percent over the past decade due to
lost habitat, shoreline development and commercial
fishing operations.
The l, '.. i l. hd was listed as a threatened species
under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1978.
In 2007, a five-year review of the loggerhead
status concluded that there were distinct populations
of the species around the world, and those distinct
groups merited more analysis.
That year, several environmental groups peti-
tioned the federal government, asking that logger-
heads in the North Pacific and Northwest Atlantic
oceans be reclassified as endangered and that critical
habitat be designated.
A review team was organized to evaluate the log-
gerhead status by ocean basin Pacific, Atlantic
and Indian and produced the study released last
week.

The team concluded, "All loggerhead turtle
discrete population segments have the potential to
decline in the future. Although some DPSs are indi-
cating increasing trends at nesting beaches... avail-
able information about anthropogenic threats to juve-
niles and adults in neritic and oceanic environments
indicate possible unsustainable additional mortali-
ties."
The federal study was conducted to provide guid-
ance on whether to recommend changing the status
of the loggerhead from threatened to endangered, a
recommendation that may come early next year.
In May, the Center for Biological Diversity,
Oceana and the Sea Turtle Restoration Project filed
a federal complaint alleging that the federal govern-
ment violated the Endangered Species Act by not
increasing protection for sea turtles.
AMITW executive director Suzi Fox said, a
status change would not change the role of the Island
volunteers who collect data.
"What will possibly change is funding for the
research and care and study," she said.
While federal officials analyze the loggerhead
population, another review is taking place to deter-
mine the effectiveness of a temporary moratorium on
longline fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
The ban targeting shallow-water fishing for grou-
per was intended to protect sea turtles from being
captured in or killed by fishing gear, but has severe
consequences for commercial fishers, including those
who operate out of the Cortez fishing village.
The federal status report on loggerheads identi-
fied longline fishing as a cause of substantial mortal-
ity among loggerheads.
But the Southern Offshore Fishing Association
maintains that propellers on recreational boats are
more harmful to turtles than longline reef fishing.
Last week, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Manage-
ment Council, announced a possible compromise.
Under new restrictions proposed to the National
Marine Fisheries Services, the ban on longline fish-
ing for grouper in shallow Gulf waters would lift,
but the commercial fishing fleet would be reduced
substantially by about half.
Additionally, waters shallower than 210 feet
would be protected from June through August, when
turtles tend to be closer to shore.

Center hosts swap parties

The Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407
Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, will host a series of
clothing swaps, beginning Aug. 22 with a back-to-
school event
In the AMI Clothes Swaps, people essentially
trade their clothes for other people's clothes.
The cost to participate in each swap is $10.
Some swap rules and guidelines in a news release
from the Center include:
Don't bring clothes you wouldn't want to
receive no dirty, stained or torn items and no
undergarments.
Be patient. Swapping is like mining for buried
treasure.
Have fun. Swapping is a great way to expand a
wardrobe and promote recycling.
On the days of swaps, people should drop off
clothing from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. For every item
accepted, the donor receives a token that can be used
on another item.
The swapping takes place from 11 a.m. to 3
p.m.
The schedule includes:
Saturday, Aug. 22, back-to-school swapping of
children's clothes.
Saturday, Sept. 26, swapping for women's and
children's clothing, including baby and maternity
clothes.
Saturday, Oct. 17, swapping for women's and
children's clothing, especially accessories.
Saturday, Nov. 21, swapping for formal attire.
Saturday, Dec. 12, swapping for women's and
children's clothing, especially holiday items.
Swaps also are planned in 2010.

For more information, call the Center at 941-778-
1908.

Senior group plans outings
Senior Adventures is planning a series of events
this fall
The group first came together at the Anna Maria
Island Community Center and, after orientation meet-
ings, began taking field trips to various sites on and
off the Island.
Senior Adventures on the calendar include:
*Aug. 21, 9 a.m., a gathering at the Annie Silver
Community Center, 103 23rd St., for a "White Ele-
phant Games and Book Exchange."
Aug. 28, 11 a.m., a tour of the Senior Enrich-
ment Center at Renaissance on 9th, 1816 Ninth St.
W., Bradenton, followed by lunch.
Sept. 11, 9 a.m., a gardening class at the Mana-
tee County IFAS Extension Office, 1303 17th St.,
Palmetto, followed by lunch at Kojak's Palmetto Rib
House.
For more information, including details about
upcoming activities, call coordinator Pat Gentry at
941-962-8835.

Click!
The Islander welcomes photographs and notices
of the milestones in readers' lives weddings,
anniversaries, travels and other events. Please send
notices and photographs with detailed captions
- along with complete contact information to
news@islander.org or 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes
Beach FL 34217.

Feds review turtle status

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Geyer honored by Florida League of Cities

By Rick Catlin
Islander Reporter
Holmes Beach City Commissioner Pat Geyer has
been recognized by the Florida League of Cities for
her many years of public ser-
vice to the city.
The FLC announced the
award Aug. 14 at its annual
educational and leadership con-
ference in Orlando.
Geyer was cited for more than
25 years of service to Holmes
Beach. Eight other public offi-
Geyer cials were similarly honored by
the FLC for 25 years or more of service.
Geyer and the other honorees received a "years of
service" pin at the convention and will be recognized
on the League's Facebook page Web site and in the
FLC magazine, Quality Cities.
They also will receive resolutions that will be
presented to them during a city hall meeting or other
community event, an FLC press release said.
"These honorees deserve to be recognized for

Case closed on sexual

battery allegation
The case against a Holmes Beach man accused
of sexual battery involving a minor was closed last
week after the state declined to pursue charges.
Richard S. LeGore, 66, was arrested at his home
in the 2800 block of Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, on
June 20. A probable cause affidavit filed in Manatee
County Circuit Court stated that LeGore molested a
young girl with whom he is related on June 18.
Facing a capital felony, LeGore pleaded not
guilty.
On Aug. 10, the court clerk posted a record indi-
cating that assistant state attorney Jeff Quisenberry
had declined to file charge LeGore.
The statement from the prosecutor said, "This
action is taken without prejudice to the right of the
state of Florida to resume prosecution on this matter
at a future time."
On Aug. 14, the court clerk posted records clos-
ing the case.

Jenifer
Chap-
man had
to forego
work at
the Rod &
Reel Pier
restaurant
in Anna
Maria to
keep up
her fight
against
breast
cancer.

Benefit raises funds

for cancer victim
Friends and colleagues held a party to raise
money to help Jenifer Chapman pay her bills while
she puts up a fight against breast cancer.
The fundraising took place Aug. 11 at D.Coy
Ducks, 5410 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, where
organizers hosted a concert featuring Mark Pelham
of Bootleg and "Koko" Ray Hansen.
"There was wall to wall people," said organizer
Beth Reilly. "I was overwhelmed. The generosity of
people on the Island was great."
Organizers sold raffles for prizes, including a
number of gift certificates.
"The members of AC DC rock band donated four
VIPs tickets and special backstage access and that
was a high seller," Reilly said.

their accomplishments, commitment and hard work,"
said outgoing FLC president Carmine Priore, vice
mayor of Wellington.
"They serve as role models for other public ser-
vants across the state, and indeed the nation, who
work tirelessly every day to provide the best city
service and enhance the lives of their citizens," she
concluded.
During her more than 25 years of public service,
Geyer has served as a city commissioner for a number
of terms and as mayor of Holmes Beach.

Deputy arrests man

for GPS theft
By Mike Quinn
A Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputy
arrested a man Aug. 8 for stealing a GPS unit from a
boat in Cortez.
Fred Leroy Gilliland, 51, told law enforcement
he stays on a boat named Treasure One in the 4600
block of 124th Street West.
According to the arrest report, at about 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 8, a crew member aboard Ms. Rebecca, a boat
docked next to Treasure One, stepped away from his
boat to use the rest room. On returning, he saw Gil-
liland getting some food aboard Ms. Rebecca.
When the crew member saw Gilliland aboard Ms.
Rebecca, he said Gilliland circled the wheel house, then
quickly moved to the front of the boat before returning
to the Treasure One. The crew member then noticed that
the GPS unit belonging on Ms. Rebecca was missing.
According to the deputy, the crew member next
notified the owner of the boat, who said he was sure
the GPS was there earlier in the day because he had
been there working on the battery.
A video surveillance camera showed Gilliland
was the only person on the boat at the time in ques-
tion.
The owner of Ms. Rebecca next searched Trea-
sure One while Gilliland was away from the boat, and
found his GPS unit among Gilliland's belongings.
A deputy located Gilliland coming out of Skip-
per's Bar.
On questioning, Gilliland admitted being aboard
Ms. Rebecca, but refused to answer questions without
an attorney.
He was arrested and charged with burglary to an
unoccupied vessel.
Mike Quinn is publisher of NewsManatee.com,
a news partner of The Islander.

Poker run set for Aug.

22 in AMI waters
The Cortez Yacht Club will host a water-
borne poker run Aug. 22.
The event, a card game played by drawing
cards at various locations, will run from Cortez
northward and points in between before the final
hand is played at the Seafood Shack.
First place will net the winner $200, second
place $100, and third place $50. Registration
is $10 for Cortez Yacht Club members; $15
for non-members, with $5 per crew member
hands.
Registration will be from 11 a.m. to 11:30
a.m. at the Seafood Shack in Cortez. First draw
will be at the Shack at noon. Second draw is
from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Melinda's Cafe and
Catering at Catchers Marina in Holmes Beach.
Third draw is 2-2:30 p.m. at Rotten Ralph's Res-
taurant at Galati Marine in Anna Maria. Fourth
draw is at the BridgeTender Inn in Bradenton
Beach 3-3:30 p.m., and the final draw is planned
for the Seafood Shack from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
Boats are encouraged to stay together for
safety and must adhere to all U.S. Coast Guard
rules and regulations. Organizers stressed that
the event is not a race.
More information is available from Patti
Wilson at 941-932-1272.

THE ISLANDER 0 AUG. 19, 2009 0 11

and.i French Back Alley fea-
tured artist for August. Sandi
is a well-known local stained
glass artist. Sndi will be
here at Back Alley Wed. 8/19
from lUa-5pm & Sat 8/22 10-1130
Teaching a recycled totem
building class. Fun for all
ages $15 per person. Call
ahead to reserve space.

By Kimberly Kuizon
Islander Reporter
As summer fades and parents start back-to-school
shopping for their kids, I'm thinking back to the year
I started kindergarten.
Now that I've graduated college, I can't believe
it was 17 years ago 1992 that I started school
at Anna Maria Elementary.
I was only 5 years old and pretty nervous. I didn't
know what to expect. School started on Aug. 25, and
the only reason I remember is because that also was
my birthday.
It was pretty rough going to school when you' re
an only child and the first day is your birthday. I
remember my mom and dad walking me up to what
I thought was a huge school. I had on my little troll
backpack and each parent held one of my hands.
We walked up to a wing of the old school, just
outside the playground. And once I saw the play-
ground, I had hope that this was going to be a good
experience.
There to greet us at a salmon-colored door was a
warm, smiling, young teacher: Lynne McDonough.
To this day, though she may not know it, she remains
my favorite teacher.
This photo
of Kimberly
Kuizon at AME
was featured
in the school
W yearbook. Kim
was dressed
*, Hawaiian-style
for lessons that
took her class
4, around the
", world.

HISTORIC GOLD FOR SALE
Mel Fisher gave fellow adventurer
and old drinking buddy Capt. Pat
Timmons the pick of the litter.
This one of only 90 gold bars
recovered from the Atocha wreck
was stamped for delivery to the
Pope. You can own this piece
of history from the 1622 fleet of
the Nuestra Senora de Atocha.
1,061 gram wt. for $100,000.
Treasure Salvors Inc. Certificate
of Authenticity.
Visit www.atochagoldbar.com

Laurie Higgins:
Local Insurance Agent Willing to
Work Hard for Your Business
"My goal is to lower your insurance
premiums on home, health, auto and

Kimberly Kuizon at the
Gator "Swamp" at the
University of Florida
prior to graduation this
year. Kuizon is cover-
ing the activities and
news at Anna Maria
Elementary School for
The Islander.

Mrs. McDonough brought us into her classroom
and immediately I fell in love with school.
She had one of the neatest classroom I've ever
seen. The entire room was decorated in a manner to
fascinate a little 5-year-old. The colors in the room
were so vivid and warm. This was a place I knew I
would want to come to every day for the next year.
Immediately after the bell rang, our parents left
and Mrs. McDonough began helping us introduce
ourselves to one other.
I remember not wanting to talk, wishing my par-
ents were there, but it was my turn. Before I could
introduce myself, Mrs.McDonough told everyone that
today was my birthday and she and the whole class
sang "Happy Birthday" to me. From there on, the day
seemed to just keep getting better and better.
School was the greatest thing ever. We had snack,
nap and recess time. I never wanted to leave. Sure
enough though, the end of the day came and, as I was
walking out, I had another huge surprise.

My mom along with my grandparents, Mimi
and Pape, were standing outside on the playground
waiting to pick me up. Pape held a huge cone lined
with aluminum foil with several goodies in it, and I
quickly ran to him to see what he had.
He explained a tradition in his German family
was to bring a schultuete, or as he called it, a "sugar
dida," to every kid after their first day of school.
Mine held candy and all sorts of toys.
I remember jumping into my family's car and
thinking this was the greatest day of my life. I love
school!
I have so many memories at AME that it will
always be my favorite school, and a favorite time in
my life.
To those kids out there who are just starting
school, don't be nervous. It will be an exciting and
fun day that you are bound to cherish forever just
like me.
Note: The first day of school at AME is Aug. 24.

By Lisa Neff
Islander Reporter
Eighty percent of Holmes Beach city commis-
sioners gave a thumbs up to the proposed 2009-10
city budget Aug. 11.
But one commissioner, eyeing percentages of
cuts and increases, registered his disapproval with
the proposed $7.8 million spending plan.
"Our millage is being increased by 9.7 percent,"
said Commissioner David Zaccagnino. "That's the
second most in this county."
The proposed 2009-10 budget is $7,865,490
compared to $8,127,723 this year.
The personnel budget, including salaries, payroll
taxes and benefits, is projected at $2.99 million. The
police department has the largest personnel costs,
projected at $1.69 million.
Operating expenses are projected at $4.1 million,
including $2.4 million in reserve for contingencies.
The public works department has the highest operat-
ing costs, projected at $994,300.
Capital outlay, which includes capital improve-
ment projects, is projected at $771,087.
On the revenue side, the budget shows declines in
money from the gas tax, sales tax, alcoholic beverage
tax, state revenue sharing, property taxes, construc-
tion permits and interest income.
To balance the budget for fiscal 2009-10, Mayor
Rich Bohenberger said one staff position in the build-
ing department was eliminated, and other expenses,
such as contract services, were cut.
City treasurer Rick Ashley presented the budget
to commissioners, saying, "We went at this budget to
try to continue services as they currently are, to not
take anything away from residents."
But Zaccagnino said, "I just think there is more
room in this budget [to cut]. Raising our millage rate,
an increase by 9.7 percent, is a tax increase."
Commissioners Pat Geyer, Pat Morton, John
Monetti and Commission Chair Sandy Haas-Mar-
tens, however, defended the budget and the proposed
1.7549 millage rate, which this year is the rollback
rate.

A mill is $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value
of property less any exemptions. A rollback rate is
the tax rate that will bring in the same amount of tax
revenue from the previous year.
"I don't think we have anything to be embar-
rassed about," said Monetti, after pointing out that
Holmes Beach's proposed millage rate is less than
rates in other local municipalities.
Bohnenberger asked Zaccagnino, "What do you
want to do away with? That's what we are here for."
Zaccagnino asked for more detail on salaries.
"This is a pretty general expense sheet," he
said.
Haas-Martens replied, "I thought it was detailed
enough.... I think what we've got is a very good,
detailed budget."
She went on to defend a proposed $500 a year
salary increase for employees, recommended as an
alternative to a more costly cost-of-living increase.
"We' ve got a lot of employees that have been
here a long time," Haas-Martens said. "And they
understand that's all we can give them.... I don't see
a problem with that."
Zaccagnino said, "We' re top-heavy in staff."
"What would you recommend taking out?" Geyer
asked.
"That's not my job," Zaccagnino replied.
"Just cutting 1.4 percent, that's not enough," Zac-
cagnino said.
The mayor observed that other cities can rely on
special taxing districts and utility funds for added rev-
enue and that some local municipalities have reduced
work hours.
"Bradenton shuts down operates four days a
week," Bohnenberger said.
The budget debate continued until Haas-Martens
said, "I think at this point the majority of us are happy
with the budget."
Ashley then announced that the first budget hearing
will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive,
and TRIM notices will be in the mail this week.
Zaccagnino delivered the last words on the subject
last week: "I can guarantee we are raising taxes here."

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In other business, commissioners:
Approved a final reading of an ordinance pro-
viding a supplemental retirement benefit to future
retirees from the police department.
Approved a resolution authorizing the mayor
and city staff to reconcile a boundary question with
the city of Anna Maria.
Approved a resolution calling for the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection and the
Environmental Regulation Commission to consider
"reasonable, science-based amendments" to the clas-
sification system of surface water bodies and efforts
to protect water quality.
Haas-Martens said the Florida League of Cities
recommended the resolution.
Approved a resolution endorsing the process
for developing a floodplain management plan.
The next regular commission meeting will follow
the budget hearing on Sept. 9.

Center planning bowling
tournament
The Anna Maria Island Community Center will
host its 19th annual bowling tournament Aug. 29.
The O' Connor Bowling Challenge Tournament
will take place at 6 p.m. at the AMF Bradenton Lanes,
4208 Cortez Road, Bradenton.
Bowlers can pre-register for the tournament at
Duffy's Tavern, 5808 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
The deadline is Aug. 27. The tournament has raised
more than $200,000 for the Center, 407 Magnolia
Ave., Anna Maria.
The entry fee is $25 and includes shoe rental plus
three games.
For more information, call the Center at 941-778-
1908.

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THE ISLANDER 0 AUG. 19,2009 0 15

16 iAUG. 19, 2009 0 THE ISLANDER

Obituaries

Sophie Hesse
Sophie Hesse, 90, of Holmes Beach and formerly
Roswell, Ga., died Aug. 3.
Mrs. Hesse moved to Holmes Beach in 1985 from
Madison, Wis., after vacationing here for many years.
She immigrated to the United States from Germany
in 1952 with her husband, Max, and their two young
children. She was an artist, having won several prizes,
and was active in an art club and enjoyed time on the
beach with friends at the 77th Street Cabana. She
was active in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Holmes
Beach.
Memorial services will be announced at a later
date to take place in Holmes Beach in October.
She is survived by son Karl; daughter Doris James
and husband Frank; grandchildren Frank James and
wife Tricia, Erica Watson and husband Doug, Peter,
Danielle, Sara and Sabrina; and great-granddaughter
Ava Sophia.

Betty Caye Hudson
Betty Caye Hudson, 80, of Terre Haute, Ind., and
Holmes Beach, died Aug. 3.
Mrs. Hudson was a 1947 graduate of Garfield
High School, attended Grinnell College, Iowa,
received her bachelor of arts degree in 1951 from
Colby College, Waterville, Maine, and her masters
and doctorate degrees from Purdue University. She
was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Gamma Mu,
Cap and Gown honoraries and Delta Delta Delta
social fraternity. Her professional career started as
counselor and social studies teacher in Greencastle
from 1952 to 1953, and then kindergarten teacher,
founder of several cooperative preschools, assistant/
associate professor of child development/family life
and sociology at Indiana State University and Rose
Hulman Institute of Te hnl' ,,., coordinator/devel-
oper of the Vigo County Adult Education School for
Teenage Parents, and co-founder of Alternatives for
Living and Learning Inc. Among her professional
memberships were the National Council on Family
Relations, past president of the Indiana Council; the
National and Midwest Associations for the Education
of Young Children and the American and North Cen-
tral Sociological Associations. She served on numer-
ous civic boards and committees. She was a member

of the First Congregational Church, where she served
as treasurer of the Mayflower Guild and founding
member of the Strawberry Fest committee, and was
an associate member of the Roser Memorial Commu-
nity Church, Anna Maria. She was a member of the
League of Terre Haute, Associate Chapter of Kappa
Kappa Kappa, Swope Art Alliance, Vigo County
Historical Society, Life member of Compassion &
Choices, Country Club of Terre Haute, Key Royale
Club of Holmes Beach, numerous bridge groups, the
Indiana Lake Management Association, and served
12 years on the Parke County Rocky Fork Lake board
of directors.
Memorial services were Aug. 13. Memorial con-
tributions may be made to Compassion & Choices,
P.O. Box 101810, Denver CO 80250-1810; Hospice
of the Wabash Valley, 400 Eighth Ave., Terre Haute
IN 47804; First Congregational Church, 630 Ohio St.,
Terre Haute IN 47807; or the Vigo County Education
Foundation, 686 Wabash Ave., P.O. Box 3703, Terre
Haute IN 47803-0703. Callahan & Hughes Funeral
Home was in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by husband Dale F of Vincennes;
daughters Laura Catherine H. (O' Maley) Loveall
and husband G. Michael of Terre Haute, Ind., Mar-
garet Elizabeth H. Merrill and husband William M.
of Terre Haute, and Julia Louise H. Cutter and hus-
band Robert W. of Fishers; grandchildren, Ryan H.
O' Maley, Kevin R. O' Maley, Haley H. Merrill, Mark
W. Merrill, Christopher W. Cutter and Andrew H.
Cutter; brother Ruel F Burns Jr. and wife Helen of
Fort Myers.; first cousins Janetnelle Wahls of Carmel,
and Paul Quintanilla of Providence, R.I.; and several
nieces and nephews.

'Dick' Richard Glenn Safford
"Dick" Richard Glenn Safford, of Hemphill,
Texas, and formerly Bradenton Beach, died Aug. 9.
Born in Watertown, N.Y., Mr. Safford moved
to Bradenton Beach in 1955. He attending Manatee
High School and served four years in the U.S. Navy
as an aviation mechanic. He served as Bradenton
Beach police chief in 1966, police chief in Big Stone
Gap, Va., from 1976-1978, and as security officer for
the Virginia Wesleyan College, Norfolk, Va., before
retirement in 2003.
He is survived by wife Lynn of Texas; daugh-
ter Deborah Sorrells of Florida; son Richard Jr. of
Alaska; grandson Christopher of Arizona; brothers

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Robert of Wisconsin, Russell of Florida, and Ralph
of Virginia; sister JoAnn Thompson of Texas; step-
children Cristina Hatten of Texas, Patricia Raymond
of Virginia, and Franklin Hatten of Virginia.

Duane A. White
Duane A. White, 66, of Bradenton Beach and
formerly of Warsaw, N.Y., died Aug. 12.
Memorial services will be in Gainesville, N.Y., at
a later date. Robinson and Hackemer Funeral Home,
Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements. Local arrange-
ments are by Shannon Funeral Home, Bradenton.
He is survived by his wife of over 30 years Mary;
son Jerry of Hagerstown, Md.; stepsons Steven Cicero
of Warsaw and Bradenton Beach, and Douglas Cicero
of Wonder Lake, Ill.; daughters Denise Rader of
Batavia, N.Y., and Wendy Jerge of Cowlesville, NY;
stepdaughter Lorraine Murray of Warsaw; mother
Madeline White of South Warsaw, N.Y.; brothers
Eugene of Warsaw and Lavern of Gainesville, N.Y.;
sisters Wanda Casselberry of South Warsaw; and Lisa
Myers of W3, ',ing. N.Y.; and nine grandchildren.

Hot spots for computer

users on Island
The surfing is free and easy on the Internet at The
Islander, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
Other free hot spots on the Island:
Melinda's Cafe & Catering, 5315 Gulf Drive,
Holmes Beach.
Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive,
Holmes Beach.
Ginny's and Jane E's at the Old IGA, 9807 Gulf
Drive, Anna Maria.
Matt & Dom's, 9701 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.
Feeling Swell, 9903 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.
Tingley Memorial Library, 111 Second St. N.,
Bradenton Beach.
Back Alley Cafe, 121 Bridge St., Bradenton
Beach.
The Islander is compiling a list of locations
offering free wireless Internet service to computer
users on the Island. If you offer this convenience,
please, e-mail reporter Lisa Neff at lisaneff@
islander.org, and include a name and telephone
number with the location of the hot spot and a
password if needed.

JUST VISITING
PARADISE?
Don't leave the Island without
taking timeto subscribe. You'll
get ALL the best news, delivered
by the mailman every week. Visit
us at 5404 Marina Drive, Island
Shopping Center Holmes Beach
-orcall
941-778-7978.
Online edition: www.islander.org

Shoe collection on
right path
Members of Gloria Dei
Lutheran Church sit
among the pews hung
with some of the 104
pairs of new athletic
shoes collected for needy
students. The shoes will ~ .,
be distributed by Proj-
ect Heart through the
Manatee County School
District. Islander Photo:
Courtesy the Rev.
Rosemary Backer

The Second Annual Ben Gullett Mullet Invi-
tational fishing tournament will be held Sept.
11-12 in Cortez.
Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Florida
Institute For Saltwater Heritage in Cortez. Star Fish
Company Markt and Restaurant and The Islander
newspaper are sponsors.
The tournament is different than most fish-
ing events. "Only six mullet will be allowed for
weigh-in," said tournament directors Holli and
Rick Gullett. "Mullet may be caught between
Ruskin and Sarasota using cast nets only. Fish
are to be iced down prior to weigh-in."
There is also a "cast iron slam" consisting of
a mullet, sheepshead and sand perch, with only
the sheepshead and perch weighed.
Entry fee is $150 for a two-person team by
Sept. 10, with a junior division for youth aged 5

to 17 at a charge of $75.
Mandatory captain's meeting is 6 p.m. Sept.
10 at Star Fish, 12306 46th Ave. W., Cortez. A
benefit dinner is slated for 6 p.m. Sept. 12, also
at Star, at $5 a plate. Dinner includes mullet with
grits and hush puppie and tea. The dinner is open
to the public.
Rick Gullett said prizes will be awarded
based on number of participants in the tourney,
but based on last year's winners prize of $1,200
for first place, the tournament promises to have
a big payoff.
The event is named for Rick's late father Ben,
an avid mullet fisher who caught, smoked and
sold mullet for many years, a tradition handed
down to Rick and brother Mark.
More information is available at 813-633-
0442, or 941-779-6693.

By Kimberly Kuizon
Islander Reporter
Second-grade students at Anna Maria Elemen-
tary School this year will embark on a quest to find
out who is a million-dollar learner.
"I have to ask teachers before I start a program, and
they can't wait to start the Million Dollar Machine,"
said AME counselor Cindi Harrison.
The Million Dollar Machine is an educational
tool to help kids learn life skills, such as social skills,
decision-making and drug-use prevention. Kids learn
throughout the year by witnessing how important the
higly valued, "mysterious machine" is to them.
"The lessons help children reach their full poten-
tial and gives parents a road map to get to know their
kids," said Kent Davis, one of the program's creators
and an Island resident.
I love it because I have the person who created
the program here," Harrison remarked.
Educators seeking to prevent drug use created
the Million Dollar Machine for the New Jersey school
system in 1987. Davis, along with a group of educa-
tors, psychologists and drug-use prevention experts,
came up then with an integrated curriculum that
teaches students life skills while also teaching them
math, science or any topic.
"We want the children we are turning out to not
only be good readers and mathematicians, but also
good people," Harrison said.

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Live Music Nightly in the Haye Loft
Remember, the Haye Loft features the best in live
music nightly from 7:30-11:30 p.m.
Visit www.euphemiahaye.com for Reservations for
our entertainment schedule. main clining room

Million Dollar Machine involves parents, teach-
ers and volunteers guiding students through the pro-
cess.
L\ ily adult is a character educator. Children
rely on us to show them the way.... This program
involves parents that's what sold me," Harrison
said.
Along with parent involvement, the Anna Maria
Island Rotary Club will dedicate time and services
to the program.
"We' re very excited ... this type of program
saves so much money because as it builds through
society, it impacts a variety of things," said Rotary
service projects chair Barry Gould.
Shortly after school kicks off, a parent night will
be sponsored by the Rotary Club to introduce the pro-
gram. And members of Island Rotary will volunteer
weekly at the school, guiding second-grade students
through the program.
"This program gives children the perception of
how extraordinary their life is," said Davis, who is
donating the materials for the program.
Students in Kathy Grandstad's and Toni Lash-
way's second-grade classes will launch the program.
And Harrison hopes once the program is up and
running to expand it to kindergarten through fifth-
grade.
Harrison said that while the new program is not
in response to last year's incident of a few AME kids
Anna Maria
Island Rotary
Club service
projects chair
Barry Gould,
left, AME
counselor
CindiHarri-
son, and Mil-
lion Dollar
Machine
creator Kent
Davis. The
new Mil-
lion Dollar
Machine
program
will start up
with second-
graders at
the start
ofschool.
Islander
Photo: Kim-
berly Kuizon

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who were involved in smoking marijuana, "that inci-
dent was a wakeup call, and this program will give us
the opportunity to build preventive skills in kids."
Harrison said her goal is to one day bring the
Million Dollar Machine to every school in the county,
with AME as a role model.
Gould, along with the Rotary, also has hopes of
expanding the program to other Rotary Clubs.
A few weeks after school starts, Davis will ask
parents to find out from their second-grade student,
who or what is a Million Dollar Machine.
For more information, call the school office at
941-708-5525.

AME Correction
Misinformation caused an error in staff changes
reported in The Islander on Aug. 12. Custodian Tom
Harrison did not transfer. He remains at Anna Maria
Elementary. Tom Widner transferred. Also Jacque
Goens will now teach first-grade, not second-grade,
as reported.

By Kimberly Kuizon
Islander Reporter
Anna Maria Elementary School will again
enforce the Manatee County School Board dress code
for students.
AME principal Tom Levengood said the main
breeches in dress code at AME is flip-flops. And,
he stressed students need to wear athletic shoes on
physical education days.
The following is a checklist of apparel/items that
should not be worn or brought to school:
Sunglasses.
Hats, visors, bandanas or othead apparel.
Visible, pierced-body jewelry other than worn
on the ear.
Cutoff pants or shorts.
Unbuckled belts.
Clothing that exposes the midriff.
Ill-fitting sweat pants or warm-ups.
Suspenders hanging down, including overalls.
Shirts advertising alcoholic beverages, drugs,
or bearing questionable language or artwork.
Known gang-related symbols.
Spandex-type dresses.
Beachwear.
Any clothing, accessories, jewelry, or hair style
that may be a distraction to self or others or that have
obscene or drug-related phrases therein.

Jeans with holes, cuts or slits above the knee.
Gym or soccer shorts that are not proper length (two-
thirds of the length from waist to middle of knee.)
Footwear not secured at the heel.
Electronic equipment to include, but not lim-
ited to, boombox, camera, CD player, camcorder, cell
phone, pager, and laser pointer.
Glass containers.
Male students choosing to wear a "net" shirt must
wear an undershirt or an overshirt that buttons. Tank

tops are allowed, but should not be loose around the
arms, and female students should be sure that straps
cover undergarments. Dresses should cover the entire
back, and the neckline should not plunge. Spandex
skirts, shorts and pants can be worn only if covered
by an overgarment of fingertip length. However,
Spandex-type shorts and trousers are not deemed
appropriate for males.
For more information, call AME at 941-708-
5525.

AME free, reduced lunch options

Parents and guardians of students enrolled
in Manatee County public schools may apply for
the district's free and reduced lunch and break-
fast program.
Only one application needs to be completed
per family/household, with the exception of foster
children.
Separate applications are required for each
foster child in a household.
Applications can be submitted at any time
during the school year.
Once an application is processed, food and

nutrition services will mail a letter notifying the
parent/guardian of the student's lunch status.
Applications may be picked up from the office
at Anna Maria Elementary School.
Officials say parents should if apply there's a
possibility reduced lunches could be a benefit to
them. In today's economic downturn, this is an
opportunity for parents to save on expenses and still
provide excellent nutrition for their students.
AME is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
For more information, visit the school office or
call 941-708-5525.

SUMMER MADNESS
New featured appetizers and entrees.
Plus summer's popular King Crab
Legs and Slipper Lobster Tails
Hiippij h o j hro
fall d/ erI' dlrqy!
If you were any closer to the water, you'd get wet!
Open 7 days 11:30-9:30
Call Ahead Seating & Reservations for 6 or More
Kids and Large Parties Welcome
By land or sea: 800 Broadway St., Longboat Key
1-941-383-1748
Longboat's Longest Family Established Restaurant

20 MAUG. 19, 2009 0 THE ISLANDER

All green, or not, or maybe shaded, or ...

"Green" has apparently turned to a whiter shade
of pale.
And no, I don't quite know what that statement
means, nor what the rest of this column is all about.
I do know that "green" is the general-consensus
term used by most of us striving to recycle bottles,
cans and other stuff, and to re-use materials rather
than gulping down new material to make stuff that
we' re just going to throw away anyway.
"Recycle." Get it?
So we separate our cans, bottles, newspapers and
other recyclables from the rest of our garbage to help
nurture Mother Earth. We feel good.
But why does being green have to be so diffi-
cult?
For "trash" or "garbage" has nifty wheeled bins
that are easy to roll out to the street for disposal.
But "recycling" has to go out in crates that have
to be lugged out to the street by hand.
A few days' worth of garbage amounts to a few
pounds.
A few days' worth of recycle-wanna-be plastic,
bottles, cans, glass and paper can weigh a lot.
Why is being green so difficult?

'Green' pales
Many of us are using those cloth bags to hold our
groceries when off-to-market we go. At least, I hope
we all are making that small effort.
Sure, they're a buck or so at initial purchase,
but the cost seems minimal for the effort to save the
planet from the Evil Plastic Monster that lives in our
landfills for what seems like forever.
AACK!
Here comes the news we're apparently not as
green as green should be.
According to a National Public Radio report last
week, "not all reusable bags are created equal. There
are different shades of green."
It seems that reusable bags are made of different
stuff. According to NPR, "the Whole Foods [gro-
cery store] bag is made of mostly recycled plastic
- ecologically better than a bag made from PVC or
of harsh chemical dyes, for example. But the bags are
also shipped thousands of miles from overseas. So
every reusable bag is a mixed bag, baffling consum-
ers and experts alike."
Huh!? We're re-using the sorta-cloth bags as
good greenies should, not taking plastic stuff, being
better to Mother Nature? Not? What?
"I think we are living in the land of confusion
right now as we migrate through what is less bad into
what is truly good," one green guy told NPR. "This
is an evolving and a moving target."
Then NPR gave food for thought.
"Buy the bag that you most personally are going
to reuse, because that's the most important thing. So
if some gritty hemp weave appeals to you, or if it's a
little bling, or the $1,000 dollar Hermes silk shopping
bag that turns you on, by all means, buy that bag."
And use it.

AACK, again
Got bags. I'm keeping them in the car.
But as I go to check-out lane in store, I realize
bags are still in car.

4^

S r "8 .
B P F
By Paul Rpat
--:. .^

Oh, whatever. Go with the plastic.
Again from NPR comes this missive.
"In an effort to reduce plastic and paper waste,
the Seattle City Council imposed the 20-cent-per-bag
charge last year, but the American Chemistry Council
helped fund a petition drive that forced the issue to a
citywide ballot."
The drive to push through the charge-per-bag
bill dropped something like $1.4 million for an ad
campaign. Vote is set for later this week.
Jeez, $1.4 million on an ad campaign? I'll go
out to the car to get the darn bags for a piece of that
campaign.
And wouldn't that buy a lot of bags?

Pacific green?
A "greenie" in the Pacific Northwest also points
out that there's a "Great Garbage Patch" of non-bio-
degradable plastic fragments in the Pacific as sub-
stance for her opposition to plastic bags.
Again from NPR: "Plastic bags represent only
a tiny fraction of 1 percent of Seattle's garbage, and
many of those bags are actually being reused to hold
the garbage itself."

Cut to chase?
If you' ve found the above indecipherable, you' re
not alone.
We're told to recycle. We do. Or try to do so.
We're told to use cloth bags instead of plastic or
paper. We do.
We're told that plastic water bottles are harmful
to the environment, so we' ve switched to metal or
reusable bottles.
And now we're told that the materials we're using
for recycling cloth, metal and whatever else are
bad?
Huh?

Carbon footprint
There's a whole lot of talk of late about the carbon
footprint we're leaving on Mother Earth. As near as can
be determined, the phrase reflects the amount or degree
of fuel required to get a thing to another thing.
Cloth bag at 99 cents on the Island? Cool. Carbon
footprint to slog the cloth bag from China or Taiwan
or wherever to the Island? Pricey.
Not.
Some greenies are little gremlins when it comes

to snapping at the minutia of just who or what is more
green.
Jeez. How hard is it to figure out that if you use a
cloth bag a few dozen times rather than a few dozen
plastic bags that you're doing good?
Who cares if the cloth bag comes from wherever?
It ain't made of petrochemicals!
And, from what I'm hearing, just who is making
the "green" stuff in the first place? We're in the midst
of a recession-depression-whatever. Remember the
phrase "buy American"?
Enough rant. Go green. As green as you are
able.

Sandscript factoid
Here's a thought: Grab a pillowcase, throw it in
your car and call it your "recycling bag."
Let the green police try to fault you for taking
something you' ve had kicking around in a closet for
all these years and try to bust you on carbon footprint
laws.
Ha!

Good fun
Susan Russell of Holmes Beach caught and
released this 36-inch redfish at the Rod & Reel Pier
in Anna Maria last week. The mother of four also
caught a 2 V2-foot-long bonnethead shark, which
served as dinner. "Yumm!," she said of her home-
cooked shark steaks.

By Paul Roat
Hey! Go fishing!
Inshore, offshore, all around Anna Maria Island
is great for fish.
Trout and redfish continue to be a great catch in
the backwater pretty much anywhere in Tampa Bay
to points south.
Ditto catch-and-release snook. Season opens
Sept. 1 for linesiders, by the way.
There are good reports of Spanish mackerel off
the piers and in the passes, plus off the artificial reefs
near the shores of the Island in the Gulf of Mexico.
Grouper and snapper continue to be good in the
deeper Gulf waters, but "deeper" is the operative
word.
Capt. Mark Johnston at Annie's Bait & Tackle
said he's catching oversize redfish in north Sarasota
Bay. Mangrove snapper are his target fish, though,
and the species is running from the Sunshine Skyway
Bridge south through the area backwater bays.
Capt. Sam Kimball said he's getting grouper
and snapper offshore, with a few cobia mixed in.
Danny Stasny at Island Discount Tackle at
Catchers Marina in Holmes Beach said trout are a
good bet in the Bimini Bay area. Snook are also out
there, with DOA lures working well. He suggested
that the linesider bite is best when the light is pink,
either early morning or toward the end of the day.
Redfish should be hitting and schooling, Danny said,
but he's not hearing much about the catch. Mangrove
snapper do take up the slack, though, both in backwa-
ters near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and offshore.
Gag grouper are a good catch out in the Gulf, too,
but figure to get into 130-foot depths or better for the
best catches.
At the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria, reports
are pretty much the summer usual: lots of catch-and-
release snook, some redfish and lots of mackerel.
At the Anna Maria City Pier, Dave Sork said
the best bet of late is late-season tarpon. He said one
angler caught an 80-pound fish last week, and another
fisher caught and got six jumps out of another silver
king hookup. Late in the season, yes, but the fish are
still out there. The rest of the action includes lots of
Spanish mackerel, snapper and tons of catch-and-
release snook. Dave added that new fishing license
regulations require pier fishers to pay and get a ticket
to fish. He's charging a penny per ticket.
Capt. Larry McGuire of Show Me The Fish
Charters said he's finding offshore action in the Gulf
to be great, with red grouper and a few gag grouper to
be the best bets. "We've been catching a spectacular
variety of snapper, including mangrove, yellowtail,
lane and patriotic American red snapper," he said.
"We've also had the pleasure to get cobia, nice-sized

Great grouper
It was a gang offishers out on the water when
bottom fish started to disappear from the haul.
Catch was good for mangrove snapper, bonita,
Spanish mackerel and flounder, but at about every
fifth snapper, "we would take two cranks of the
spinning reel and something big would eat it and
break the line, said George Kyd of Anna Maria.
"We couldn't even budge whatever it was!" The
crew went back a few days later, caught several
snapper "and one of them got eaten and the line
broke." Capt. Gary Huffnan grabbed a big shark/
tarpon rig and put a snapper on it. After a fight,
he pulled up a Goliath grouper, which was photo-
graphed and released. Also on the trip were Tom
Kyd from San Diego,; Brian Kyd, Tom's son; Dan-
ielle Finch of San Diego; George of Anna Maria;
and Bill Starrett of Anna Maria.

amberjack and mahi-mahi don't worry kids, it's
not Flipper!" He's also catching some kingfish.
Capt. Larry said his best action is in the 135-foot-
plus depths in the Gulf. "On some of our most recent
trips, we've had sharks, cobia, mahi-mahi and king-
fish swimming around the boat, following the large
grouper especially red grouper."
Capt. Zach Zacharias on the Dee Jay II out
of Parrot Cove Marina in Cortez said to head out
to the nearshore reefs off of the Manatee County
coast. "Any hard-bottom structure that's attracting
schools of bait is holding a lot of Spanish mackerel,

snapper, grouper, sharks, barracuda and occasionally
some decent-size flounder," he said. "On the inshore
scene, things have been about average and very tide
dependent. On days with a decent tide, the action
can be pretty good with mangrove snapper, speckled
trout, reds and snook. The trout have not been huge
but, as is usual case in late summer, the best trouting
is very early and late, during low-light periods." Look
forward to snook season, and Capt. Zach said that
more snook are returning to backwater haunts "after
doing the procreation thing in Gulf passes and at the
mouths of big bays and rivers."
Capt. Mark Howard with SumoTime Fishing
Charters said hot weather has spurred his clients
to seek early morning or evening charters. The trips
seem to be w 'ikin'. as he's catching schooling red-
fish on edges of the seagrass flats in the bays, plus
speckled trout in deeper seagrass beds.
Good luck and good fishing.
Fishing news and photos are welcome and may be
submitted to Paul Roat by e-mail at paul@islander.
org.

Wow! That's a whopper sandwich
JoAnn Manali, right, shows off her 301-pound
halibut, caught while on a trip to Elfin Cove Fish-
ing Lodge, Alaska, about 80 miles southwest of the
state's capital of Juneau. 1,... was fishing with hus-
band Anthony, pictured, and friends Mike and heii-
ley Volk when she hooked the really big fish dinner.
Anthony and JoAnn run the LegMakr Fishing Team
out of Anna Maria, with frequent "big" results.

By Kevin Cassidy
Islander Reporter
The offspring of former Island Football Club
players Matt Bowers, Ken Bowers, Lance Bieker,
Neil Fellowes, Ken Richards, this writer and others
are playing in an indoor soccer league this summer at
the Big Kick Indoor Soccer facility in Bradenton.
With temperatures in the mid 90s outdoors and
the humidity even higher, it can be difficult to moti-
vate children and parents out of the comfort of their
air conditioning, so indoor soccer is a great fit for
summer fitness.
In addition to escaping the brutal heat, the chil-
dren get to play a fast-paced, physical brand of soccer
that is sure to improve any player's skill level.
The local kids' team Coastal Orthopedic -
played two games in their under-age-9 division Aug.
15 at the indoor facility at 1901 72nd Drive E., Bra-
denton.
Their first game saw them trailing the YMCA
U9 team 6-4 with just over two minutes remaining
to play. Robbie Fellowes notched a goal to pull to
within one goal. With time winding down fast, the
YMCA goalie threw the ball out from his goal, where
Shelbi Morrow gathered the ball and dribbled toward
the goal. With six seconds to play, Morrow fired the
shot that found the far corner to tie the score at 6-6
and end a great game.
Fellowes finished with two goals in the game as
did Melissa Katzenberger, while Joe-Joe Rogers and
Morrow each finished with one goal.
The second game saw Coastal Orthopedic win by
a 4-0 score over Big Kick, though it was 0-0 for much
of the game. Big Kick almost got on the scoreboard

late in the first half, but Conal Cassidy cleared the
ball off of the goal line to preserve the shutout for
Coastal Orthopedic's goalie, Joe Joe Rogers.
Fellowes again scored twice to lead Coastal
Orthopedic, while Katzenberger and James Richards
both notched single goals in the victory.
For information on Big Kick Indoor Soccer, go
to bigkickindoorsoccer.com or call 941-727-1984.
Register now for Center soccer
The Anna Maria Island Community Center is
AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL COMMUNITY CHURCH
HARVEY MEMORIAL
PASTOR
STEPHEN KING
Sunday 9:30am
PO Box 243, Bradenton Beach, 34217
300 CHURCH AVE. BRADENTON BEACH
2 BLOCKS NORTH OF BRIDGE ST. CLOCK TOWER

accepting registrations for its fall recreational youth
soccer league. Boys and girls must be at least age 4,
and no older than 16 by Aug. 24 in order to partici-
pate.
Players who are age 4 are required to attend the
preseason soccer camp and successfully pass an eval-
uation by the athletic director in order to participate
in league play.
The cost for league soccer for Center members
is $85 with each additional sibling paying $75. The
PLEASE SEE SPORTS, NEXT PAGE

league provides a team jersey and matching socks,
and players must provide their own black shorts,
shin guards and shoes. Shin guards are offered by
the Center for $5.
Player signup is ongoing until Aug. 28. For more
information, visit the Center at 407 Magnolia Ave.,
Anna Maria, or call Andy Jonatzke or Billy Malfese
at the Center at 941-778-1908.

Volunteers sought
The Center is looking for volunteers for its
concession stand. A cook is needed each night of
soccer season during games from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
to prepare cheeseburgers, french fries and other
food items.
Parents who volunteer for the concession stand
one night per week can reduce their child's soccer
registration fee from $85 to $20.
The season will last eight weeks and volunteers
must be able to commit to one night per week for the
soccer season in order to receive the reduced fee.
The Center also is seeking a dedicated, part-time
coach for cheerleading. This person would start in
early December and work through June, including the
duration of the basketball and flag football seasons.
This commitment is for 4-6 hours per week
during the sport seasons and will involve running
practices and game performances. There also will be
an opportunity to travel and compete in area cheer-
leading competitions. The coach position includes a
stipend for services.
Again, inquire at the Center for more informa-
tion.

Soccer camp 2009
With soccer season comes soccer camp to "kick
off' the season.
The Center soccer camp puts players through the
paces to refresh already learned skills and provides
the opportunity to learn new skills. The camp will
be held at the Center from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.,
Wednesday-Friday, Aug. 26-28.
Contact the Center to enroll.

BRADENTON BEACH CLUB
Immaculate 2bed/2bath
condo with den. Built
in 2005, this like-new
condo has peeks of the
Gulf and a great rental
history. Covered
Sparking, deeded beach
access, storage.
Turnkey furnished. A supreme value in today's market.
This property will not last long. $389,000.

Call Jesse Brisson
941-713-4755.

Skimboard contest on tap
The BeachHouse Restaurant will again host the
popular Skimboard Bash in October on the beach
at the restaurant, 200 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton
Beach.
The contest, which donates a portion of its pro-
ceeds for red tide research, is an all-day event with
numerous age/gender divisions starting with the 8
and under "minis" and ranging up to the 22-and-over
senior division. Each entrant will receive a competi-
tion T-shirt, gift bag and lunch. And each division
will have a maximum number or entries, so be sure
to sign up early.
Entry forms are available at the West Coast Surf
Shop, 3902 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
For more information, call 941-778-1001.

THE ISLANDER 0 AUG. 19, 2009 0 23
3-0 pool-play record and were the outright champs
of the Aug. 15 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria
City Hall pits.
The ensuing battle for second place saw the team
of Hank Huyghe and Jeff Moore overcome a 21-0
defeat to Debbie Rhodes and Steve Grossman in pool
play. This time, they defeated the pair 21-16 to grab
runnerup honors.
The Aug. 12 games saw two teams Steve
Grossman and Jeff Moore and Sam Samuels and Jay
Disbrow emerge from pool play to battle for first
place and battle they did. With the score tied 16-16,
Moore threw a six-pack, double ringer to give Gross-
man and Moore a dramatic 22-16 victory.
Play gets under way at 9 a.m. every Wednesday
and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. War-
mups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team
selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is
welcome.

Brenda Canning
has taken over
management of the
new Island Fitness,
and is now offering
personal training
and group fitness
classes with all new
memberships. Can-
ning, a member of
the 1996 U.S. Olym-
pic Field Hockey
team, has brought
together top-notch
personal trainers
to ensure members
get the most from
S : their workouts at
the gym,
........ : 5317 Gulf Drive
] ~in the Tidemark
./,. -j. ', Holmes
Beach. For more
S information, call
941-778-5200.

PARENTS NEEDED for loving homes to foster puppies
and kittens until they are old enough for adoption. All
food and medical provided. Julie, 941-720-1411.
ADULT CATS in desperate need of loving homes.
All are current on vaccines. All applicants screened.
Please, call 941-922-0774.

SHARP, CLEAN, RED 2002 Ford Taurus. Loaded,
65,000 low miles. Will consider any reasonable offer.
$5,000 or best offer. Can be seen in Bradenton. Renee,
941-735-4211.

JUST VISITING
PARADISE?
Don't leave the Island without
taking time to subscribe. You'll
get ALL the best news, delivered
by the mailman every week. Visit
us at 5404 Marina Drive, Island
Shopping Center, Holmes each
-orcall
941-778-7978.
Online edition: www.islanderorg

Beautifully remodeled 4br/3ba home on north end of Anna Maria with heated pool,
large balconies and windows with striking views of Tampa Bay. $779,000
Visit us on Pine Avenue or online for many more listings and rental info.

ISLAND FACES...SELLING ISLAND PLACES

28 MAUG. 19, 2009 U THE ISLANDER

Remembering Charley brings readiness push

By Lisa Neff
Islander Reporter
Islanders remember that Charley took a right
turn.
And Islanders remember that Charley took that
turn on a Friday the 13th.
"We were on the run, under the gun," Agatha
Pierce of Holmes Beach said, remembering five years
ago this month, when Hurricane Charley became
the first of four hurricanes to strike Florida within a
44-day period. The storms affected millions of Flo-
ridians in every county, prompting a multi-billion
dollar recovery effort.
Islanders did not suffer Charley's wrath five years
ago, but they endured fear, worry, sadness.
Until about six hours before Charley made land-
fall to the south, Anna Maria Island was in the hur-
ricane's direct path.
"The hurricane hunters had located their equip-
ment at the BeachHouse parking lot," remembered
Andy Price, chief of the West Manatee Fire Rescue
District.
Price recalled visiting with the storm chasers,
being awed by their equipment, and then driving back
to the his station thinking about what was to come.
"I said to myself, 'This is the last time I'm going
to see the Island this way,'" Price remembered.
A direct hit from Charley and the Island "will
be changed forever," Price thought. "This was the
first time in my time on the Island that there was one
going to hit us."
With homes and businesses locked down and
boarded up and with the National Hurricane Center in
Miami predicting Charley would strike Anna Maria
Island as a major hurricane, Islanders evacuated on
Aug. 12, 2004.
Local emergency officials said most residents
heeded the order and, until mid-day Aug. 13, 2004,
forecasters still were predicting a direct strike at AMI.
Price, working out of an operations center that
day, remembered watching television and seeing the
path change.
"I was kind of facing everybody else and the
TV was beyond them," he said. "I saw the hurricane
make a right turn. They turned to see what I was
looking at. I said, 'Did you all just see that?' That's
when we realized. We were not going to get hit."
The hurricane hunters also had realized a change
in conditions.
They went south.
Charley turned right.
Instead of making landfall near the mouth of
Tampa Bay at about 6 p.m. Aug. 13, 2004, Charley
veered to the right at about 2 p.m., gained strength,
and, at 6 p.m. made landfall at Punta Gorda as a Cat-
egory 4 hurricane.
"Hurricane Charley strengthened rapidly just
before striking the southwestern coast of Florida as
a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hur-
ricane Scale," the National Hurricane Center reported
in 2004. "Charley was the strongest hurricane to hit
the United States since Andrew in 1992 and, although
small in size, it caused catastrophic wind damage in
Charlotte County, Fla. Serious damage occurred well
inland over the Florida peninsula."
The eyewall struck Punta Gorda and Port Char-
lotte "with devastating results," the NHC reported.
Islanders returned home after about 7 p.m. Aug.
13, 2004 some iust long enough to prepare to rush

off to aid Charley's victims in Arcadia, Punta Gorda,
Port Charlotte and elsewhere in the state.
"We had to be prepared to go and help," Price
said. "We had crews out there within an hour."
Charley caused 10 deaths and $15 billion in dam-
ages, according to the National Oceanic and Atmo-
spheric Administration.
Three more significant storms followed that year
- Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.
Frances was directly responsible for seven deaths
- five in Florida, one in the Bahamas, and one in
Ohio. Three deaths were caused by wind, two by
storm surge, one by freshwater flooding and one by
lightning.
On Anna Maria Island, Frances' high winds and
driving rains took down power lines, uprooted trees,
flooded streets and damaged roofs, including the one
on the Bradenton Beach Fishing Pier restaurant on
the Historic Bridge Street Pier.
Ivan caused extensive damage to coastal and
inland areas of the United States. In addition to the
damaged homes and businesses, Ivan destroyed mil-
lions of acres of woodlands and forests.
Ivan's tail smacked the Island, producing high
tends, crashing waves, flooded streets and properties
and eroded beaches.
Hurricane Jeanne followed, again flooding streets,
knocking out power, uprooting trees and damaging
roofs on the Island. The storm was catastrophic for
other areas. According to Reuters News, Haiti's death
toll was more than 3,000, including nearly 2,900 in
the mud-crusted coastal city of Gonaives. One direct
death was reported from Puerto Rico; three direct
deaths were reported in Florida and one direct death
was reported from South Carolina.
Out of the 2004 hurricane season came seasons
of recovery and rebuilding for the hardest hit areas.
Also, out of the 2004 season, came lessons for
officials and residents in tracking, forecasting, miti-
gating and preparing for storms.
Because of the 2004 season, the National Hur-
ricane Center and emergency planners began taking
more interest in a cone showing a wider possible path
for a storm than the track line.
Also, because of the 2004 hurricanes, nearly
$369 million in federal funds was set aside for the
federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The pro-
gram funds projects to protect Florida communities
during future storms, according to the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency.
In Manatee County, as well as other counties in
the state, the damages in 2004 boosted the push to
harden emergency operations centers. As a result,
Manatee County built a new, $55 million EOC, which

The line for a free meal provided in a Wauchula
parking lot by the ( I,,.. group volunteers and Ed
C /,, /.. Islander Photo: Jo Ann Meilner

WMFR firefighters pitch in at a mobile home park.

... Islander Jeff
Croley, left,
a went on rural
-orroads on his
own to offer
cold water
and comfort
to anyone
in need,
including this
unidentified
Mobile home
resident.

was operational for the 2008 storm season.
Last week, as officials with various organizations
at local, state and federal levels observed the anniver-
sary of Charley and praised the recovery, they called
for readiness.
"Over the last five years, I have witnessed first-
hand the unselfish efforts of thousands of Florida
responders who answer the call again and again to
help their fellow Floridians in times of need," Florida
Gov. Charlie Crist said in a statement Aug. 13. "While
we pray for protection, we know every family, busi-
ness and community must always be prepared for the
possibility of another devastating storm."
Crist reminded Floridians that storms do not have
to be hurricanes to be deadly or destructive Tropi-
cal Storm Fay killed 15 Floridians last year.
Price, too, offered a caution: "Just because there may
not be as many storms doesn't mean we're not going to
have that one that super-storm. You just really don't
know. Charley could have come right at us."